Death of Engineer Augustus M. SLIKER, Warren County, New Jersey

Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Stewart J.A. Woolever, Jr. 
<sjaw@citlink.net>.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Montrose Democrat
Cruser & Gardener, Publishers
Montrose, Susq’a Co., Pa., January 1, 1920


Engineer Sliker Meets Death in Railroad Accident


Train Which Left Montrose Yesterday at Noon Went Over Embankment Near Tiffany. 
No Passengers hurt
Wrecking Train Soon On Scene


The L.&M. train, which left the station, in Montrose, yesterday, at 11:40 a.m., 
left the rails, about a mile this side of Tiffany, just after rounding the 
curve, east of Babcock crossing, on the McCollum farm, Engineer A.M. Sliker, of 
Hallstead, being caught under the locomotive, and instantly killed. 
That Engineer SLIKER met instant death is certain. He had set the brakes, and 
was on the running board of the engine when the locomotive tipped over, being 
caught directly beneath the iron monster. After about two hours hard work the 
body was recovered, the remains being taken to M.J. O’Brien’s undertaking rooms.
William ROSE of Scranton, who was firing, was thrown about forty feet, being 
badly cut along the face and hands, bleeding profusely, and one finger was 
wrenched from his right hand. When picked up he was conscious, and was able to 
walk. He was given first aid treatment, and placed abroad a trolley car, which 
was passing, and taken to Scranton.
It was impossible to determine the exact cause of the wreck—whether spreading 
rails, a loose truck, or a broken rail, but a broken rail seems the logical 
explanation of the accident.
The passenger car and the combination express and the mail car did not tip over, 
and no passengers were injured.
The engine, after bumping over the rails for perhaps twenty rods, went off the 
lower side of a deep fill, landing upside down. The milk car was next to the 
engine, and landed at the bottom of the fill, on its side. It was a sorry 
looking mess. A large crowd from Montrose was soon on the ground.
Passengers on the ill fated 
train___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________
Lake; Joseph SMITH,telegraph operator of Alford; Mrs. Chas. BOND, who was 
returning to New York, following a visit with her grandmother, and Arthur 
Hirsehberg, of New York, who had been visiting Elk Lake friends.
	A wrecking train reached the scene at three o’clock, when a start was made 
on repairing the tracks, and to lift the prostrate engine, tender and milk car 
to the rails.
	  Strangely; too; the injured fireman, Mr. Rose, of Scranton, was on the 
branch, temporarily, to relieve the regular firemen, Richard Chidester, who was 
also taking a vacation.
	The wrecked train left Montrose on time, and was running at ordinary speed 
when the spill came. Mrs. Bond gives splendid first aid.
	The splendid first aid assistance of Mrs. Chas. Bond, given the fireman, 
is spoken of in the highest terms. Mrs. Bond has thorough knowledge of nursing 
and emergency measures, and applied same in both in efficient manor and splendid 
spirit.
	When the Democrat closed its forms last night it was stated that the 
tracks would be cleared and repaired by seven o’clock and the trains would be 
running on regular schedules, beginning this (Thursday) morning.
	A pathetic phase of the accident is the fact that Mrs. SLIKER,the bride of 
but a few weeks, had come to Montrose, Tuesday, expecting to return to their 
home in Hallstad the night of the day the accident occurred. She was overcome 
with grief when she learned of her husbands untimely death. Dead engineer had 
		Been Montrose resident.
	The news of the tragic death of engineer SLIKER, brought much sorrow to 
Montrose, where he had lived for about five years, when engineer on the branch a 
few years ago.
	The deceased had taken a second wife a few weeks ago, and just getting a 
home established in Hallstad he remarked to a fellow train man, just before 
starting out on the fatal run, that he wanted to get back home and wished that 
engineer McAloon would return that afternoon as he had so many things to do at 
home. Poor man, it was not for him to ever see his home again and yet how far 
away (seemed?) eternity that bright sunshiny morning as he left Montrose.
	Besides his wife, deceased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Earl McLood 
of Hallstad and Mrs.Vogel  of Scranton.
 
My NOTES: b- Augustus Gus M Sliker- b-May 04, 1862- Independence, Warren, New 
Jersey buried-Union Cemetery Hackettstown N.J
Father- Jacob S Sliker-mother- Susan Adaline
1st wife- Rose Rosa Prell Woolever  2nd- Rebeca Bostedo